Moscow/London/Kyiv: UK’s Defence Ministry claimed that Russia had taken control of most of the town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine. A Wagner Military Group unit, which has participated in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is said to have taken control of Soledar. Senior officials of the US Defense Department have also corroborated the claim. However, Ukraine has not yet confirmed this and said an intense and bloody conflict is ongoing in Soledar. Meanwhile, a pro-Russian rebel group reported that more than 150 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the battle in Donetsk.
Soledar is recognized as one of the strategically important cities of the Donetsk region. There are large mines of Rock Salt and Gypsum in this city. Earlier in 2014 and last August, Russia captured the city. But then, the Ukrainian Army forced the Russian troops to retreat. Therefore, control over this city is considered very important for Russia. This town is just 18 kilometres from Bakhmut. So, control over Soledar becomes necessary for the control of Bakhmut.
Russia was said to have focused all its attention on Bakhmut in the past few days. Big and fierce attacks have constantly been launched on this city. However, gaining direct control of the town was difficult as Ukraine had built strong defences. Against this background, the Russian forces began to attack important parts of the nearby areas for the control of Bakhmut and targeting Soledar was a part of this strategy.
The Russian Army and ‘The Wagner Group’ jointly carried out the Soledar campaign. After more than four days of fighting, Soledar is almost under Russian control. The UK and the US statements in this regard confirm this claim. However, both Ukraine nor Russia have not officially confirmed reports on Soledar. Some analysts have claimed that Russia could take control of Bakhmut in the next few days after the Soledar is captured.
Russia has also launched major offensives in Sumy and Mykolaiv areas, along with other parts of Donetsk Oblast. As many as 90 attacks were made on Sumy on Monday. Artillery guns and rockets were used for the attacks. Also, many buildings and houses are said to have been destroyed in these attacks. A pro-Russian rebel group claimed to have killed more than 150 Ukrainian soldiers in the conflict in the Donetsk region.
Meanwhile, Russian advanced destroyer Admiral Gorshkov is said to have entered Norwegian waters. The Russian Defense Ministry informed that an air defence exercise is ongoing on this destroyer, equipped with hypersonic missiles.
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